GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The Alachua County Sheriff's Office has cleared one of its deputies of wrongdoing for fatally shooting a man who attacked him with a samurai sword.

Deputy Richard LaLonde followed departmental policy when he killed Matthew Hibbitts on March 1, the Sheriff's Office said Friday. That policy justifies deadly force by a deputy when "it is necessary to prevent death or serious injury to himself or others."

A video shot from LaLonde's car March 1 showed Hibbitts charging within a few feet of the officer before the shooting.

The State Attorney's Office earlier said LaLonde, 30, fired nine shots, six of which hit Hibbitts. LaLonde told investigators that Hibbitts, 19, collapsed only after a struggle.

"I don't know how long I stood there and looked at him," LaLonde said. "I couldn't believe it just happened."

Hibbitts had cocaine and marijuana in his system and his blood alcohol level was about 0.12, according to toxicology reports.

LaLonde had been placed on administrative leave pending the investigations. He is back at work as a patrol deputy, said sheriff's spokeswoman Linda White.

A grand jury ruled Wednesday that LaLonde acted in self-defense and cleared the officer of criminal wrongdoing.

Information from: The Gainesville Sun

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